Explained: Why India did not vote on UN resolution calling for truce in Israel-Hamas conflict
| 2023-10-28
India's Deputy Permanent Representative at UN Yojna Patel
India said the UN resolution did not include any explicit condemnation of the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7
“Our vote on the resolution was guided by our steadfast and consistent position on the issue. Our Explanation of Vote reiterates this comprehensively and holistically,” sources said while citing reasons behind abstention from voting in favour of the resolution.
“The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our thoughts are also with those taken hostages. We call for their immediate and unconditional release,” India maintained while stating that there can be no equivocation on terror.
On October 27, the 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) which met in a resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, voted on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 countries including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia, and South Africa.
The resolution titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations,” was adopted with 120 nations in support of it, 14 against it and 45 abstaining. Besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Italy and the UK.
India said, “Casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza are a telling, serious and continuing concern. Civilians, especially women and children are paying with their lives. This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. We welcome the international community’s de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.”
Further, “we are deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The escalation of hostilities in the region will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility,” India at the UN said.
Talking about its consistent stand on Palestine, India at the UN said it “has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side-by-side in peace with Israel. For this, we urge the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations.”
The resolution in the UNGA did not include any explicit condemnation of the terrorist attacks of October 7. An amendment was moved to include this aspect, prior to the vote on the main resolution.
“We voted in favour of the amendment and it obtained 88 votes in favour (but not the requisite two thirds majority),” sources said.
“In the absence of all elements of our approach not being covered in the final text of the resolution, we abstained in the vote on its adoption,” sources added.
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